Helicopter Landing Levy: Aviation Ministry, AON hold sensitisation meeting

The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development on Tuesday convened a sensitisation meeting with the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) regarding the report of the Ministerial Committee established to review the collection of Helicopter landing levies.

According to a statement by the Head of Press and Public Affairs of the Ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, the Committee was mandated to assess the exercise and provide recommendations.

Oluseyi explained that the initiative was prompted by complaints from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

The meeting, which took place at the Minister’s Conference Room on August 27, 2024, was presided over by the Director of Legal Services at the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Rita Egbadon.

Egbadon indicated that the meeting was convened at the behest of the Minister of Aviation to inform the AON about the outcome of the committee’s report, which had previously been submitted.

Mrs Egbadon noted that the Ministry has adopted the committee’s report.

In outlining the report, Egbadon emphasised that Helicopter landing levies are part of global aviation practices that contribute to the national economy.

“The levy payable to the Federal Government through NAMA is a statutory requirement for the provision of Air Navigation Services for Helicopter landings by oil companies on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) units, as well as on helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes.”

The Director also stated that the committee’s findings demonstrate that the legal foundation for the levy aligns with the NAMA Act of 2022. 

Furthermore, the procedures for levies are also in practice in countries such as India, the United Kingdom, the United States, and across the European Union. She expressed concern at the level of wastage the country has endured over the past years.

“The committee discovered that prior to its assignment, oil companies were invoiced by third parties, such as Helicopter operators, which did not promote transparency and compliance.”

She further revealed that the committee resolved in its report that invoicing oil companies directly, rather than through third parties, would significantly reduce complaints from stakeholders, including the AON.

She informed the AON that companies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), and INTELS have already ensured compliance.

In conclusion, she stated that Naebi Dynamic Concepts Limited has been charged by the Ministry with the responsibility of collecting and enforcing the Helicopter landing fees. 

Consequently, all oil companies operating on oil fields, terminals, platforms, rigs, FPSO units, helipads, airstrips, and aerodromes are expected to comply with the report’s recommendations.

In response, the AON clarified that it has no role in the collection of Helicopter levies and that no levies should be paid to them or their members, assuring that relevant information to facilitate compliance will be made available to all concerned.